Littleneck clam ramen @ Tanto, San Jose

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Littleneck clam ramen @ Tanto, San Jose

How far the mighty can fall! The clam ramen at the San Jose branch of Tanto (on the border of Saratoga) had been one of my absolute favorite ramen bowls around. After reading Cary's report of bad clams, I stopped by here on Monday for a quick lunch to taste for myself.

The combination was in the same style as before, not the smokier and richer version served at the newer Sunnyvale branch. However, the execution was off. Served too hot, the noodles started off fine but had turned much too soft by the end of the bowl. The broth was more dilute with less than half the flavor it had in better days. If I hadn't known it was supposed to be clam stock, I'm not sure I could have id'd it. I could see the bits of garlic but none of the flavor hit the palate. The nine clams in the shell were sweet and tender and there was a good amount of tasty wakame. It was served with a nice warm onigiri.

With good quality toppings, average noodles, and below average broth, I rank this below the median. Whereas it had once been #3, now it's down to #19. If I were eating at Tanto, SJ, I might order this again. I would ask for "hard" noodles and keep my fingers crossed about the broth.